Crime Blotter 6/23/16

The Clarkstown PD responded to 501 N. Highland Ave. in Upper Nyack on June 22, 2016 at approximately 1:00 a.m. for a report of a possible burglary. Officers found the front glass door of the Citgo Mart Store smashed open and the store’s cash register had been stolen. The owner of the store believes there was approximately $200.00 in the register.

The Clarksdown Detective Bureau is investigating the burglary and working with other police departments including Piermont and Stony Point, who are investigating similar burglaries that occurred the previous night. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Clarkstown Detective Bureau at 845-639-5840.

Man Arrested for Drug Possession

Following a vehicle pursuit the Clarkstown PD arrested Khristopher Crayton, 29, of Amityville, NY on Thursday June 16, 2016 around 9:00 p.m. for drug related charges. An officer saw Crayton’s vehicle turn without signaling in Valley Cottage and attempted to make a traffic stop. However, Crayton accelerated and threw a small object out of the passenger side window.

Crayton drove onto a dead end in West Nyack and was arrested by the Clarkstown PD. Police recovered 11 grams of crack cocaine, 12 grams of heroin, a digital scale and clear plastic bags.

Crayton is facing multiple felony charges including two counts of 3rd degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of 4th degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, 1st degree reckless endangerment and two counts of tampering with physical evidence. He is also facing multiple misdemeanor charges including two counts of 2nd degree criminally using drug paraphernalia and three counts of 3rd degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. Crayton was remanded without bail to the Rockland County Jail.

7-Eleven ATM Machine Found with Fradulent Keypad

Clarkstown Police responded to calls of a suspicious incident involving the ATM machine on June 10, 2016 at the 7-Elevent on Rt. 59 in Nanuet. A customer told police the keypad on the ATM machine appeared to have been altered.

After investigating the machine, the Clarkstown PD discovered a fraudulent keypad mounted on the machine’s keypad. The investigation is still active and the Clarkstown PD is requesting anyone who recently used the machine to contact their bank or financial institution to protect their accounts. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Clarkstown PD at 845-639-5800.

Ramapo

Driver Arrested for Drug Impairment

The RPD responded to a report on Saturday, June 18, 2016 about a possible intoxicated driver on Route 59 near Brookside Ave., in Airmont, New York. Officers found the vehicle and arrested the driver who was impaired by drugs.

Car Fire Under Investigation

A suspicious car fire that occurred on June 21, 2016 at approximately 12:20 a.m. is being investigated by the RPD. The car was on a dirt road off of Waldron Terrace in Sloatsburg, New York. Outside the car police found a deceased male, the cause of death is being investigated and police have identified the body as a man from Middletown, New York. Anyone with information is asked to call the Ramapo Police Department at 845-357-2400.

Jersey Man Arrested for DWI

An RPD officer stopped a car early morning on Friday June 17, 2016 for a traffic violation. The office smelled alcohol coming from the driver, who was then subject to several field sobriety tests. The officer then arrested the 43-year-old man of Mahwah, New Jersey for Drinking while Intoxicated. He was processed at RPD headquarters and will appear in Montebello Justice Court next month.

Orangetown

Jersey Man Arrested for DWI Following Car Flip

OPD arrested Bruce Buchanan, 53, of Tenafly, New Jersey for DWI on June 19, 2016 at approximately 3:40 a.m. when officers responded to a one car motor vehicle accident on Rt. 9W in Upper Grandview. The vehicle struck a guardrail, overturned and landed on its roof. The driver, and sole occupant, of the vehicle Buchanan, was arrested for DWI, a misdemeanor and issued numerous uniform traffic tickets. He is due to appear in Orangetown Court on July 6, 2016.

Man Arrested Following Harassment

On Wednesday June 15, 2016 at 9:30 p.m., the OPD arrested Vincent Berlingeri, 29, of Nyack, New York, following a domestic incident in Nyack. He allegedly chocked a female, struck her in the head and face, stole some of her personal items and damaged other items.

He was arrested at the scene and transported to Orangetown Police Headquarters to be processed. Berlingeri was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, 4th degree criminal mischief, petit larceny, 5th degree criminal possession of stolen property, all misdemeanors and 2nd degree harassment, a violation. He was arraigned at the Nyack Justice Court and transported to the Rockland County Jail.

Bicyclist Brought to Hospital After Car Accident

A car and bicycle accident is currently under investigation by the OPD. On Tueday June 14, 2016 at approximately 4:38 p.m., a collision occurred at the intersection of Main Street and Washington Street in Tappan, New York. The South Orangetown Ambulance Corp transported the bicyclist to Nyack Hospital with the help of the Rockland Paramedics Services. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call the OPD at 845-359-3700 and ask for Sgt. Vega or PO Johnson.

Man Arrested for Allegedly Using Stolen Check to Open Bank Account

OPD arrested Brayan Mendez-Vasquez, 23, of Spring Valley, New York on Tuesday June 14, 2016 at 5:20 p.m. for criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Mendez-Vasquez allegedly entered the Peoples United Bank in Orangeburg, New York, on April 30, 2016 at approximately 2:00 p.m. and presented a stolen forged check in the amount of $206.00 to open an account in his name.

He was processed at the Orangetown Police Headquarters. He has been charged with 2nd degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, a felony, and 5th degree criminal possession of stolen property, a misdemeanor. He was arraigned at the Orangetown Justice Court and released with a court date of July 12, 2016 to face the charges.

Man Arrested After Allegedly Stealing from Gym Locker

The Orangetown Police Department arrested Gerard Campitiello, 26, of West Nyack, New York on June 13, 2016 at 4:28 p.m. for grand larceny. Campitiello allegedly forcibly removed a lock on one of the lockers at the Vision Fitness Center in Pearl River, New York on June 12, 2016 at approximately 12:25 p.m., and removed a wallet containing money, credit cards and identification.

He was processed at the Orangetown Police Headquarters and charged with: 4th degree grand larceny, 4th degree criminal possession of stolen property, both felonies, and 4th degree criminal mischief and petit larceny, both misdemeanors. Campitiello was arraigned at the Orangetown Justice Court and transported to the Rockland County Jail.

Pearl River Man Arrested for DWI

On Saturday, June 11, 2016, at 12:13 a.m. the Orangetown Police arrested Thomas Breen, 59, of Pearl River, New York for driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor. Breen was driving a 2008 Pontiac when he drove into the back of a parked vehicle on Forest Ave. in Pearl River. Breen showed signs of intoxication and was transported to police headquarters where he refused to submit to a breath test. Breen is scheduled to appear in Orangetown Court on July 13, 2016.

Congers Woman Arrested for DWI and Driving with a Suspended License

On Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 1:50 a.m. the Orangetown Police arrested Jessica J. Jedlicka, 35, of Congers, New York for driving while intoxicated, 3rd degree aggravated unlicensed operator, both misdemeanors, and unlawful possession of marihuana, a violation. She was stopped for a traffic violation on Main Street in Nyack while driving a 1999 Toyota. Jedlicka showed signs of intoxication and failed field sobriety tests. She was also in possession of a small plastic bag containing marihuana and found to be driving with a suspended drivers license. Jedlicka was transported to police headquarters, where she failed a Breathalyzer test. She is due in Nyack Court on July 12, 2016.

Pearl River Woman Arrested for DWI

On Friday, June 10, 2016 at 5:15 p.m. the Orangetown Police arrested Therese P. Dolan, 56, of Pearl River, New York for driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor. Dolan was observed by a civilian witness driving a 2000 Ford in an erratic manner then striking a guard rail on Veterans Memorial Drive in Pearl River. The witness reported the location and description of the vehicle, and an Orangetown Officer located Dolan and the vehicle on South Middletown Road. She showed signs of intoxication and failed a field sobriety test. Dolan was transported to police headquarters where she refused to submit to a breath test to determine her blood alcohol content. She was scheduled to appear in Orangetown Court on June 22, 2016.

Suffern

Man Destroys Church Stained Glass Window

Stg. Jose Martinez arrived at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern after a call came in on Sunday June 19, 2016, at 6:30 a.m. reporting a disturbance.

The suspect later identified as Santiago Brito-Avalos, 44, of Suffern, had left items including a cell phone and wallet in the church the night before. He received his items from a 74-year-old employee who opened the church then for an unknown reason grabbed the employee by the neck, started choking him then punched and kicked the man several times. The employee was knocked to the ground and sustained multiple injuries.

Brito-Avalos then ran into another room in the church, picked up a large religious statue and struck and broke a 75-year-old custom stained glass window. He then damaged several church items included a microphone, hymnal book, candles and a painting.

When he fled the church Martinez had arrived on the scene and saw Brito-Avalos slap a 76-year-old Sloatsburg man who was warning people not to enter the church.

He then moved toward Martinez in an aggressive manner and told the officer to shoot him. Martinez deployed a Taser, the subject fell to the group then arrested by Martinez and PO Billy Simurra. Brito-Avalos has been charged with felony criminal mischief, 2nd and 3rd degree assault and harassment. He was arraigned and remanded to the Rockland County Jail on $20,000 bail pending a return court date of Tuesday June 21, 2016. The investigation continues and the cost of the stained glass is believed to be several thousand dollars.

Sheriff’s Department

Jersey Woman Arrested After Leaving Dog in Car

Paige M. Sheehan, 40 of Lodi, New Jersey, was arrested on June 18, 2016 at approximately 1:00 p.m. for violating the Agricultural and Markets Law (353-d), which prohibits the confinement of a companion animal in a vehicle during extreme temperatures.

Sheehan attempted to visit an inmate at the Rockland County Jail with her dog but advised by jail staff she could not bring the dog inside, and due to the high temperature outside she could not leave the dog in the car.

Sgt. Stobble of the Rockland County Jail, discovered Sheehan’s vehicle parked at 66 N. Main St, the New City Shoprite. The dog was inside the vehicle with the engine off and windows only open a little. The outside temperature was 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sgt. Ford and PO Perrone responded to the scene. Along with Sgt. Stobble, entry was made into the vehicle and the dog was removed and transported to Hi-Tor animal shelter for evaluation and safekeeping. When Sheehan exited the jail following her visit, she was arrested, processed and released on an appearance ticket.